Amphibian

ABSTRACT

An amphibious motorcycle with a hull that provides desirable buoyancy for the vehicle to float while in the water and yet allows the vehicle to lean/turn during use on land is provided. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with a front suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on or in the water. The amphibious motorcycle also has a hull that can have a center portion with a center bow and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/518,718, filed Feb. 4, 2013, entitled “AMPHIBIAN,” which is aNational Stage Application of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2010/002317,filed on Dec. 22, 2010, entitled “AMPHIBIAN,” which claims benefit toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/289,170, filed Dec. 22, 2009,entitled “AMPHIBIAN,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Amphibious vehicles for recreation, business, and/or military uses areknown. Such amphibious vehicles typically have a retractable wheelsystem that affords for the wheels of the vehicle to be raised to aretracted position during use of the vehicle in the water. In addition,a hull provides buoyancy to the vehicle such that it floats while in thewater.

Hulls for three-wheel and four-wheel amphibious vehicles typicallyprovide sufficient buoyancy since the width of the vehicle, and thus thehull, span the width of the front and/or rear axle plus wheels. However,an amphibious motorcycle presents unique challenges with respect to thehull shape, size, etc., since the vehicle is required to lean sidewaysduring riding/turning on land—thereby requiring a hull with a relativelynarrow width—and yet the hull must provide sufficient buoyancy to keepthe vehicle afloat in the water.

Heretofor amphibious motorcycles have attempted to meet these challengesusing additional movable flotation elements that extend from the hullwhile the vehicle is in the water. These movable flotation elements maytake the form of inflatable bellows, movable or foldable flotation aids,or other forms. Such systems have been bulky, required additional movingparts/components, and can be prone to failure. As such, an amphibiousmotorcycle with a hull that does not require additional bellows,provides sufficient buoyancy for the vehicle to float in the water, andyet allows the vehicle to adequately lean/turn while on land would bedesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an amphibious motorcycle with a hullthat provides sufficient buoyancy for the vehicle to desirably floatwhile in the water and yet allows the vehicle to desirably lean/turnduring use on land. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with afront suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system.Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that isoperable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between adeployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and aretracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on water. Theamphibious motorcycle also has a hull having a center portion with acenter bow at a forward end thereof and two oppositely disposed andspaced apart side portions each with a side bow at a forward endthereof.

The two side portions can extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of theamphibious motorcycle. The two side portions can also extend forwardlyand/or rearwardly beyond the center portion a predefined distance andform a front wheel bay and/or a rear wheel bay, respectively. The frontwheel can be located at least partially within the front wheel bay andthe two side portions can extend forwardly to, or beyond, a rotationaxis of the front wheel when the front wheel is in the deployedposition. In some instances, the two side portions can extend forwardlygenerally equal to a front surface of the front wheel when the frontwheel is in the deployed position, or in the alternative, the two sideportions can extend forwardly beyond the front surface of the frontwheel when the front wheel is in the deployed position.

The rear wheel can be located at least partially within the rear wheelbay and the two side portions can extend rearwardly to, or beyond, arotation axis of the rear wheel when the rear wheel is in the deployedposition. In some instances, the two side portions can extend generallyequal to a rear surface of the rear wheel when the rear wheel is in thedeployed position, or in the alternative, the two side portions canextend rearwardly beyond the rear surface of the rear wheel when therear wheel is in the deployed position.

The front wheel bay and the rear wheel bay afford for the front wheeland the rear wheel to move freely between the deployed position and theretracted position. In addition, the wheel bays may or may not be closedor have a closure across a top portion thereof, while the wheel bays donot have a closure along a bottom portion thereof.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an amphibious motorcycle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1illustrating the front wheel and the rear wheel in a deployed positionand retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses an amphibious motorcycle that hasdesirable leaning/turning capability while in use on the land anddesirable buoyancy/stability while in use on water. It is appreciatedthat for the purposes of the present invention, the term motorcycleincludes mopeds, scooters, and other single-track two-wheeled vehicles.In addition, other single-track vehicles that use more than one wheel asa rear wheel and/or front wheel are included within the term motorcycle.For example and for illustrative purposes only, a scooter that has twowheels spaced closely together for use as the rear wheel is includedwithin the use of the term motorcycle.

The amphibious motorcycle can include a front wheel with a frontsuspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Atleast one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the frontwheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of thevehicle on land and a retracted position for use of the vehicle on watercan also be included. The amphibious motorcycle has a hull with a centerportion and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions. Eachhull portion has a forward end defining a bow or bow portion and thehull portions are preferably fixed relative to one another and form agenerally rigid assembly with a generally continuous outer hull surface.

The two side portions extend forwardly beyond the center portion apredefined distance and form a front wheel bay. The front wheel can belocated at least partially within the front wheel bay and the two sideportions can extend forwardly beyond a rotation axis of the front wheelwhen in the deployed position. In some instances, the two side portionscan extend generally equal to a front surface of the front wheel, or inthe alternative, the two side portions can extend beyond the frontsurface of the front wheel when the front wheel is in the deployedposition.

The two side portions can also extend rearwardly beyond the centerportion a predefined distance and form a rear wheel bay. The rear wheelcan be located at least partially within the rear wheel bay and the twoside portions can extend rearwardly beyond a rotation axis of the rearwheel when in the deployed position. In some instances, the two sideportions can extend rearwardly generally equal to a rear surface of therear wheel, or in the alternative, the two side portions can extendrearwardly beyond the rear surface of the rear wheel when the rear wheelis in the deployed position.

With the two side portions extending forwardly and/or rearwardly beyondthe center portion, a hull with desirable flotation and minimum and/ordesirable width is provided. Stated differently, extension of the sideportions to form the front wheel bay and/or the rear wheel bay providesdesirable and/or adequate buoyancy for the vehicle in the water and yetaffords for the vehicle to desirably lean/turn during use on the land.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a top view of an embodiment of an amphibiousmotorcycle is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The amphibiousmotorcycle 10 can include a motorcycle 100 and a hull 200. Themotorcycle 100 can have a front wheel 110, a rear wheel 120, a seat 130,handlebars 140, an engine (not shown), a transmission (not shown) andother components known to those skilled in the art that are used,attached, etc. with or to a motorcycle. For example, the rear wheel 120can have a rear fender 121, a drive chain, and the like. In addition,the front wheel 110 can have a front fender (not shown), however this isnot required. Alternatively or additionally, fenders or mud guards maybe fixed to the hull or other part that does not move with the wheels,at the front and/or the back.

Adding FIG. 2, the hull 200 can have a center portion 210 and twooppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions 220. The overall hullis defined by the combination of the center portion 210 and the sideportions 220, which are preferably rigid with respect to one another andtogether form a continuous outer hull surface. The hull 200 may be saidto have a bow at the forward end and a transom at the rearward end. Thecenter portion 210 has a forward end defining a center bow 212 or centerportion of the bow. Each of the side portions 220 has a forward enddefining a side bow or a side portion of the bow. As used herein, a bowis the fowardmost end of the hull or portion of the hull. In someinstances, the side portions 220 can extend in a forwardly direction 1beyond the center portion 210 and create a front wheel bay 116. Inaddition the two side portions 220 can extend in a rearwardly direction2 beyond the center portion 210 and create a rear wheel bay 126. Thefront wheel 110 can be located at least partially within the front wheelbay 116 and the rear wheel 120 can be located at least partially withinthe rear wheel bay 126.

In some instances, the two side portions 220 can extend in the forwardlydirection I beyond a rotation axis 111 of the front wheel 110. In otherinstances, the two side portions 220 can extend generally equal to afront surface 114 of the front wheel 110. In still other instances, thetwo side portions 220 can extend beyond the front surface 114 of thefront wheel 110.

In a similar fashion, the two side portions 220 extending in therearwardly direction 2 can extend beyond a rotation axis 122 of the rearwheel 120. In some instances, the two side portions 220 can extendgenerally equal to a rear surface 124 of the rear tire 120, or in thealternative extend beyond the rear surface 124.

The hull 200 can also have a waisted portion 204 that affords for arider of the vehicle IO to place one or more feet on a ground surface inorder to stabilize or hold the vehicle IO in an upright position whilein use on land. In addition, the hull 200 can have one or more platforms20 I that afford for a rider to place their feet while riding thevehicle 10 on land or water.

When on land, the motorcycle may be propelled by the rear wheel. When onwater, a twin jet propulsion system may be used. A pair of jets 230 and232 are shown in FIG. 2. Each jet has an inlet 234 and 236 and an outlet238 and 240. The jet 230 is disposed at least partially in one of theside portions on one side of the rear wheel bay 126 and the other jet232 is disposed at least partially in the other side portion on theopposite side of the rear wheel bay. Alternatively, a single jetpropulsion system (not shown) may be used. The single jet may have oneor more inlets and one or more outlets, and be beneficially packaged asnecessary. For example, the single jet may disposed centrally or atleast partially in one of the side portions. The inlet(s) and outlet(s)may be positioned as necessary, e.g. with ducts to provide ducted flowaround or on one or both sides the rear wheel.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 isshown with the front wheel 110 and the rear wheel 120 in a deployedposition. It is appreciated that with the front wheel 110 and the rearwheel 120 in the deployed position, one can operate the amphibiousmotorcycle 10 on land as one would generally operate a motorcycle.

FIG. 3 also illustrates in phantom the front wheel 110 and the rearwheel 120 in a retracted position such that the vehicle can be operatedin the water. A water line is shown at w, representing where the waterline may be with the motorcycle in the water and not moving. It isappreciated that with the two side portions extending in the forwardlydirection I and/or in the rearwardly direction 2, the hull 200 providesa desirable buoyancy for the vehicle 10 while maintaining a desirableand/or minimum width such that leaning/turning can be achieved while inuse on land. It is further appreciated that at least one wheelretraction system can be included (not shown) in order to move the frontwheel and/or the rear wheel between the deployed position for use of thevehicle 10 on land and the retracted position for use of the vehicle onwater.

The front wheel bay 116 and/or the rear wheel bay 126 can have a cover,closure and the like across a top portion thereof, however this is notrequired. Such a top cover or closure may be fixed in place so as toform part of the upper, dry surface of the body or hull, may beflexible, or may be operable. In contrast, the front wheel bay and therear wheel bay do not have a closure along a bottom portion thereof.This means that there is no closure or cover in the outer/lower surfaceof the hull. In this manner, the chance or threat of a cover, closureand the like of being lost, broken, distorted, etc. during use isprevented. In addition, any malfunction of such a cover, closure, etc.due to contamination by mud, dirt, grass, etc. is also prevented. Theterm “closure” means anything which closes a fixed aperture—including apanel, cover, canopy, or lid. Such a closure may comprise one or morecomponents; and may be closed by manual or powered means. It may rotate,slide, or close in some other way. Generally, a closure moves to closeoff apertures of a hull, which are underwater when the amphibian isstationary and on the water. Such closures allow planing when in aclosed position. The term wheel closure includes a cover that at leastpartially closes a cavity in the hull in which the wheel is situatedwhen retracted. The term also includes a cover that together with thehull at least partially encapsulates the wheel when retracted. The termalso includes a cover which is movable between a position which does notcover a wheel and a position which does cover a wheel, from any angle,so as to form a substantially smooth and unbroken lower hull surface.Therefore, a closure is distinguished from a mud guard, which ispermanently deployed whether the wheel is deployed or retracted, anddoes not move from one position to another during normal operation ofthe amphibian. Generally, a closure will be located below the wheel whenclosed. A mud guard will often be fixed to the body work and locatedabove the wheel. When a mud guard is mounted on the forks supporting thewheel, it will be held in a fixed relationship to the wheel. Itsorientation may vary as the wheel is deployed or retracted, howeverunlike a closure, it will not cover a gap in the hull. The outside orwet side of the hull is a side, of the hull exposed to water; as opposedto the inside of the hull, which is dry, being effectively sealedagainst water ingress. It is acknowledged that a conventional enginecompartment requires ingress and egress of air for cooling, combustionand exhaust purposes; but even such air intakes and exhaust openingshave labyrynthine passages, commonly known as dorades, in order toexclude as much water as possible.

Although the item 200 has been described as a hull, it is common foramphibians to have a hull, which is a lower, water facing enclosure; anda body, which is an upward enclosure. These may be joined together at aperipheral joint, as disclosed in applicant's application published asUS 2006/0199449, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference. In the alternative, a singular hull can be used which may ormay not have a lower body with a separate but permanently attached upperbody. Such a hull can provide attractive styling for the amphibiousmotorcycle; provide sealing of the steering system against wateringress; provide sealing of the at least one wheel retraction systemagainst water ingress; and provide mountings for desirable equipmentsuch as an instrument console, a windscreen and the like.

The present invention may further comprise a frame, hull or body form orother structure for supporting one or components or sub-assemblies ofthe amphibious motorcycle. The front wheel and front suspension systemcan be mounted to said frame, hull or body form or other structure, andthe rear wheel and rear suspension system can also be mounted to saidframe, hull or body form or other structure.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodimentsdescribed above. The examples and embodiments are not intended aslimitations of the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus,compositions and the like described herein are exemplary and notintended as limitations on the scope of the invention. As such, changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art and theapplication should be interpreted broadly.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An amphibious two-wheeled motorcyclecomprising: a retractable front wheel of the two-wheeled motorcycle witha front suspension system; a retractable rear wheel of the two-wheeledmotorcycle with a rear suspension system, wherein the retractable frontwheel and the retractable rear wheel are in a same track; a hull havinga center portion with a center bow at a forward end thereof and twooppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bowat a forward end thereof; and a front wheel bay defined by a gap betweenthe two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions both when theretractable front wheel is in the deployed position and in the retractedposition.
 2. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, wherein said two sideportions extend forwardly beyond said center bow a predefined distanceso as to form a front wheel bay.
 3. The amphibious motorcycle of claim2, wherein said front wheel is located at least partially within saidfront wheel bay.
 4. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, wherein saidtwo side portions extend forwardly beyond a rotation axis of said frontwheel when the front wheel is in said deployed position.
 5. Theamphibious motorcycle of claim 1, wherein said two side portions extendforwardly to a position at least generally equal to a front surface ofsaid front wheel when the front wheel is said deployed position.
 6. Theamphibious motorcycle of claim 1, wherein said two side portions extendforwardly beyond said front surface of said front wheel when the frontwheel is in said deployed position.
 7. The amphibious motorcycle ofclaim 1, wherein said two side portions extend rearwardly beyond saidcenter portion a predefined distance forming a rear wheel bay.
 8. Theamphibious motorcycle of claim 7, wherein said rear wheel is located atleast partially within said rear wheel bay.
 9. The amphibious motorcycleof claim 1, wherein said two side portions extend rearwardly beyond arotation axis of said rear wheel.
 10. The amphibious motorcycle of claim1, wherein said two side portions extend rearwardly at least generallyequal to a rear surface of said rear wheel when the rear wheel is insaid deployed position.
 11. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1,wherein said two side portions extend rearwardly beyond said rearsurface of said rear wheel when the rear wheel is in said deployedposition.
 12. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 2, wherein the frontwheel bay is covered on an upper side thereof.
 13. The amphibiousmotorcycle of claim 7, wherein the rear wheel bay is covered on an upperside thereof.
 14. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, furthercomprising: a jet propulsion system for propelling the motorcycle onwater, the jet propulsion system having a jet with an inlet and anoutlet.
 15. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, further comprising: atwin jet propulsion system for propelling the motorcycle on water, thetwin jet propulsion system having a first jet with an inlet and anoutlet and a second jet with an inlet and an outlet.
 16. The amphibiousmotorcycle of claim 8, further comprising: a twin jet propulsion systemfor propelling the motorcycle on water, the twin jet propulsion systemhaving a first jet with an inlet and an outlet and a second jet with aninlet and an outlet, the first jet being at least partially disposed inone of the side portions of the hull on one side of the rear wheel bayand the second jet being at least partially disposed in the other of theside portions of the hull on an opposite side of the rear wheel bay. 17.The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the center portion andside portions of the hull are fixed with respect to each other so as toform a generally rigid hull.
 18. An amphibious two-wheeled motorcyclecomprising: A retractable front wheel of the two-wheeled motorcycle; aretractable rear wheel of the two-wheeled motorcycle, wherein theretractable front wheel and the retractable rear wheel are in a sametrack; and a hull having a bow, the bow having a central bow portion anda pair of side bow portions, the bow having a front wheel bay defined bya gap between the pair of side bow portions both when the retractablefront wheel is in the deployed position and the retracted position, theretractable front wheel being disposed at least partially within theretractable front wheel bay when the front wheel is in the deployedposition.
 19. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 18, further comprising:a frame, hull or body form or other structure for supporting one orcomponents or sub-assemblies of the amphibious motorcycle, wherein: thefront wheel with a front suspension system is mounted to said frame,hull or body form or other structure; and the rear wheel with a rearsuspension system is mounted to said frame, hull or body form or otherstructure.
 20. The amphibious motorcycle of claim 1, further comprising:a frame, hull or body form or other structure for supporting one orcomponents or sub-assemblies of the amphibious motorcycle, wherein: thefront wheel with a front suspension system is mounted to said frame,hull or body form or other structure; and the rear wheel with a rearsuspension system is mounted to said frame, hull or body form or otherstructure.